May 26, 2010 council meeting minutes
REGULAR MEETING – DANUBE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 26, 2010
Mayor Gene Allex called the regular meeting of the Danube City Council to order at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. Councilmembers present: Sharon Lothert, Al Strunc, Ryan Bentley, and Bob Simpson. Absent: None
Also present: Dan Kaufenberg, Josie Arkell, Tammy Torkelson, Kelly Mahoney, Susan Williams.
A motion was made by Lothert to approve the agenda with the addition of “2nd Street East” under old business and “Community Center Blinds” and “306 5th Street” under new business. Simpson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of May 12, 2010 as submitted. Simpson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Public Works Director, Dan Kaufenberg, was present to give his monthly employee report. Business was discussed as follows:
· Kaufenberg reported that Forcier-Marty’s Roofing has been working on repairing the school building roof. The south part is done.
· Kaufenberg has spoken to others who have told him that televising the sewer lines before cleaning them out is a waste of time and money. The camera can’t push through built up sediment. He also mentioned that the insurance rates could go down if the City is on a plan to clean a section of the City’s sewer lines each year, such as 1/3 of the lines each year. Simpson asked Kaufenberg if he thought the lines should be cleaned. Strunc asked Kaufenberg if he’d be willing to use a camera if the City had one. Kaufenberg said yes to both questions. Strunc asked Kaufenberg to get a reference on Infratech for cleaning the sewer lines
· Kaufenberg reported that 2nd Street East got graded and asked the council if he should line up Ferrellgas to apply chloride to the street at 80 cents per foot.
· There are some trees in the park that need trimming or removal and that is something Kaufenberg can’t do. He will get some quotes.
· Kaufenberg has concerns about the proposed idea of sharing a sweeper with a neighboring town. He feels driving it back and forth between towns is too time consuming and that after a storm or rain each town would probably want to use it at the same time. He thinks it would be a hassle and money wasted. Strunc asked how many hours per year Kaufenberg uses the sweeper. Kaufenberg estimated about 160 hours from spring through fall. The current 1984 sweeper has 27,000 miles and 7,100 hours on it. Strunc and Simpson agreed that the current sweeper should be repaired.
· Allex asked if all of the water shut offs that needed replacing were done. Kaufenberg said at least 2 still need to be dug up and he will have to talk to Sam Smith.
· Kaufenberg was asked if the storm sewers need to get cleaned out. He said he normally just shovels them out and doesn’t have a problem with them.
· Kaufenberg said that Coop Country Farmers Elevator is wondering who pays for certain things, such as couplings, to hook their new lines up to the City’s water and sewer. The council agreed that the City pays for the water shut off and the rest is the responsibility of the Elevator.
A motion was made by Strunc to have Ferrellgas from New London apply chloride to 2nd Street East at a cost of 80 cents per foot. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Strunc to do necessary repairs on the street sweeper to get it operational. Simpson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Danube property owner, Kelly Mahoney, was present to request a 30 day extension to finish getting his shed up to City code. The judge had given him until June 1, but uncooperative weather has set him back.
A motion was made by Strunc to grant Mahoney a 30 day extension to bring his garage into compliance with City ordinance. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Josie Arkell and Tammy Torkelson were present to discuss a utility bill that was left when their renter moved out.
A motion was made by Strunc to allow water service to 503 Pine Street once Torkelson has paid for a replacement water meter and the renter’s utility deposit. Simpson seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
The Clerk will look up the price of the replacement meter and let Torkelson know what it is. The Clerk will also write up a policy to have renters sign a release allowing the City to send a copy of the renter’s utility bill to the appropriate landowner each quarter.
The Clerk has not received a list of blighted properties from the Police Chief.
The editor of the Renville County Register was present and explained that a “standing request” to receive the City’s minutes once they are typed up is legal. She emailed the supporting documents to the Clerk.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve Resolution 02-2010, authorizing the sale of 303 4th Street to Marlys Jansen for $2,000. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Lothert to approve the bills as submitted in the amount of $18,013.90. Strunc seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
City Engineer, Lee Elfering, would like to meet with a council member, the Clerk, and the Public Works Director regarding the next steps to take place towards paving 2nd Street East. The Clerk will contact Elfering to set up an evening meeting.
The applications for part-time summer maintenance were briefly reviewed by the council. It was decided that Bentley and Kaufenberg will look over them and do the interviews.
The list of scheduled water disconnects due to non-payment was reviewed by the council. The shut off date will be June 2 for those that have not paid their bill or made arrangements with the Clerk.
The fire department has requested six chairs for the firehall. There will be an auction at the Sacred Heart School building on June 24 and perhaps chairs could be found there. The Clerk will make a list of things to look for at the auction.
A motion was made by Strunc to approve the Assessment Agreement with the Renville County Assessor’s Office for 2011-2012. Bentley seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Strunc to purchase blinds, installed, for the windows in the main section of the Community Center from Dirk’s Furniture for approximately $1,000. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Bentley reported that he picked up a new trailer from Renville Sales for the maintenance department. He gave the invoice to the Clerk.
At 8:50 p.m. a motion was made by Bentley to adjourn the meeting. Lothert seconded and the motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted: Sara Wilson, City Clerk